Instead of the traditional flat-pricing system, residential and small commercial customers can now choose to enroll in a plan that offers lower rates for energy supply during off-peak hours - and higher rates during peak use times.

Central Maine Power has announced open enrollment until Jan. 31 for a new "time-of-use" option for the power generation portion of customers' bills.

Instead of the traditional flat-pricing system, residential and small commercial customers can choose to pay a rate for energy supply that is higher than the flat rate during on-peak energy use times and lower than the flat rate during off-peak times.

"Essentially it's giving customers more control over what they pay, and the price that you pay is related to what it costs to produce that electricity," says Tom Welch, chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

The delivery portion of a CMP bill has a separate time-of-use schedule. The new power generation time-of-use prices are effective for a one-year term beginning March 1.